Government Relations

The Indiana General Assembly will hear two bills on Tuesday regarding breeding regulations in...

The Indiana General Assembly will hear two bills on Tuesday regarding breeding regulations in Indiana. The House Judiciary Committee is expected to hear Senate Bill 238, a bill originally dealing with basic animal cruelty issues. An amendment will be offered in this bill to strictly regulate commercial breeders in Indiana.

The Senate Corrections, Criminal, and Civil Matters Committee will be hearing House Bill 1468, a bill that currently contains numerous regulations and limitations on dog ownership. An amendment is expected to be offered which addresses a number of AKC's concerns.

Details of the bills are as follows (Be sure to scroll down to read the details on SB 238 and HB 1468):

Senate Bill 238

Earlier this year, Indiana Representative Linda Lawson was successful in amending House Bill 1468 (a bill regarding sex offenders) to include onerous regulations for commercial breeders, including allowing warrantless inspections of private homes and property, and placing strict limits on dog ownership and standard breeding practices. HB 1468 passed the House of Representatives.

While significant amendments to HB 1468 are expected to be offered on Tuesday (see below), the AKC has learned that Representative Lawson is now seeking to amend another bill with language to unreasonably regulate breeders. That bill is Senate Bill 238, which originally addressed basic issues of animal cruelty. The Indiana House Judiciary Committee, of which Representative Lawson is Chair, is expected to vote Tuesday on SB 238 and an amendment to include strict regulations on responsible dog breeders. It is therefore imperative that all responsible dog owners, breeders, and fanciers in Indiana contact the House Judiciary Committee and express opposition to any amendments that would limit dog ownership and the rights of responsible dog breeders.

The American Kennel Club's mission includes working to protect the rights of all dog owners and promoting responsible dog ownership. The AKC strongly supports the humane treatment of dogs, including providing an adequate and nutritious diet, clean living conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human companionship and training in appropriate behavior. We believe, however, that numerical limits, warrantless searches of private property, and other onerous regulations do not address the underlying issues of responsible ownership and proper dog care. Instead, the AKC supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs without restricting the rights of owners or breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.

Contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee. Ask them to oppose any amendments to limit dog ownership and infringe on the rights of responsible dog breeders. If you are a resident of Indiana, make sure to let them know!

All Indiana Representatives may be reached at the following:
Indiana House of Representatives
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-9600 or
(800) 382-9842 (toll free within Indiana)

As currently written, HB1468, among other provisions, limits dog ownership to 30 intact dogs and includes consumer protection provisions that provide no recourse to a seller victimized by false accusations or irresponsible new owners. However, Senator Brent Steele, Chairman of the Senate Corrections, Criminal, and Civil Matters Committee (which currently has cognizance of the bill) is expected to offer amendments to address many of the egregious portions of this bill. The AKC Government Relations Department has learned from Senator Steele's office that many of AKC's concerns are expected to be addressed in these amendments. The American Kennel Club will continue to monitor this legislation and will provide more details and updates as they become available.

How You Can Help:

Attend the Senate Corrections, Criminal, and Civil Matters Committee hearing on Tuesday, March 31. Express your support for reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs without restricting the rights of owners or breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.

If you are unable to attend, contact the members of the committee and express your support for reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs without restricting the rights of owners or breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.

All Indiana Senators may be reached at the following:
Indiana State Senate
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-9400 or
(800) 382-9467 (toll free within Indiana)

Click on the committee members' names below to contact them by e-mail: